On June 20, the church in Montebello had a graduation ceremony for the Master of Divinity program. Over the course of four years, the students went through the Moscow's Theological Seminary’s Master's program partnered with the Blagovest Institute of Ministry. Two of the students have successfully defended their Master's dissertations and received the masters' degrees, while another five students will continue their education for one more year.
The graduation ceremony was officiated by Peter Mitskevich who is the Chairman of the Russian Union of Baptists and dean of the Moscow's Theological Seminary, Ivan Mileyev, President of the Pacific Coast's Association, Aleksandr Pronin, director of the Blagovest Institute of Ministry, Valeriy Konopelkin, Pastor of the Montebello Church, and instructors Vadim Yurchak and Sergey Pronin. Every one of these men gave some advice to the graduates and exhorted them to use their knowledge practically in serving God and people. After that, Peter Mitskevich awarded the diplomas while Ivan Mileyev and Aleksandr Pronin pinned the masters' hoods, followed by a prayer of dedication. Praise God for everything that He accomplished in preparing His ministers for the work of service.
On June 5, there was also a teaching session for the San Francisco and Concord students. They were being taught Theology by Sergey Pronin. At that same time, the students of the Bryte Church campus had their instruction and learned Hebrew grammar which was taught by Vasily Shust.
On June 12, the Light to the World Church had their Theology training which was taught by Sergiy Tarasenko who focused specifically on the doctrines of Ecclesiology and Eschatology.
In the near future, there will be another enrollment period for the B.A. of Church Ministry and the B.A. of Missions Ministry. The session will begin once the group parameters will be set. Please pray for God to lead and bless this effort.
A. Pronin
The education department director
